An Irish odd couple

Frosh forge special bond

Frosh forge special bond

November 23, 2006|TOM NOIE Tribune Staff Writer

One Notre Dame freshman basketball player calls northwest Indiana home, wears his hair in a buzz-cut and is all business on and occasionally off the court. Another arrived from northern California with a carefree demeanor and shaggy blond hair more fitting of the typical West Coast surfer dude. Had it not been for college basketball and similar class schedules, there would be little reason for Schererville's Luke Harangody and Joe Harden, a native of Acampo, Calif., to ever cross paths. Instead, the two, both enrolled in the school's first year of studies program, have become fast friends as they help one another work through the growing pains of being away from home for the first time. "You watch those two guys when they leave the gym or walking around campus, there's a bond there," said coach Mike Brey. The first of the team's four freshmen to commit to Notre Dame, Harangody signed his letter-of-intent last fall. The following spring, after Harden was the last of this year's rookie class to commit, he fielded a phone call from Harangody. The conversation was awkward, with little hint of a future friendship. "I really didn't know him and he really didn't know me," Harden said. "It was just, 'I'll see you around.'" Harden arrived for summer school in mid-June, moved into Siegfried Hall and stared at an empty side of the closet. His summer roommate, Harangody, was off playing for the Indiana All-Stars and didn't move in until school already started. Harden's early efforts at conversation were met with minimal response from Harangody. "He's real quiet until he feels comfortable around you," Harden said. "Then he's hysterical." The two learned they had the same two classes -- calculus and biology. The more time they spent together walking to class, lifting weights and playing pickup, the more their friendship evolved. Though both logged considerable time on the AAU basketball circuit, their paths never crossed until last summer. Harden took one look at the 6-foot-8, 250-pound Harangody and knew he'd be in for it the first time he tried to drive the lane. Harangody glanced at Harden's near-shoulder length golden locks and rolled his eyes. Where, he wondered, did the coaches find this 6-7, 212-pound guy who looked like he wandered in off the beach? Over the last five months, the pairing has reached a point to where teammates often joke about how if you see one, the other's probably right around the corner. "We just like to hang out and chill," Harangody said. "I don't have too many friends out here being so far from home," Harden said. "He's a guy I can talk to." Earlier this week, after a full day of classes, basketball and studies, Harangody and Harden retreated to the basement of Morrissey Manor to forget about the demands of academics and athletics. For a few hours, they laughed, swapped stories and played some pool. "I'm better," Harangody insisted. "Not true," said Harden. "I won last night." Talk between the two touches on almost any topic. College life. Sports. Girls. The past. The future. And especially hometowns. Acampo? "He tells me it's way better than South Bend," Harangody said. "The girls, the weather. I have to get out there." Schererville? "I know it's right by Gary and I've heard stories about Gary," Harden said. "I give him a hard time about that." While the two continue to bond as buddies, their rookie seasons have moved in different directions. Harangody is Notre Dame's feel-good story, scoring double figures in his first four games, including a career-best 18 points in each of the last two Irish wins. He's become instant offense as the sixth man and is quickly becoming a Joyce Center favorite. Harangody proved early on that he would play a major role, but has struggled to deal with the sudden avalanche of attention. It's something he's sought advice from Harden on how to handle. "He's a humble competitor," Harden said. "I'm just happy for him because he's stepping up big-time." Still working to score his first collegiate basket, Harden has seen limited minutes as the 10th man in a nine-man rotation. It's an adjustment for a former three-year varsity starter in high school. Harden still arrives early each afternoon for extra work with associate coach Sean Kearney, and Harangody offers encouragement to make sure his friend stays focused. "We know he's going to get his chance," Harangody said. "He's really fundamentally sound. He knows the game really well. "It's going to pay off for him one day." Following Wednesday's practice, Harangody made the 75-minute drive home to spend Thanksgiving with his family, and Harden remained on campus. His family planned to travel to South Bend for the holiday. Sometime today, should one of their cell phones ring, there won't be much guess as to who might be on the other end. For Harangody, the friendship has allowed him to understand that it's all right to let others see his silly side, to not be so guarded all the time. For Harden, whose only sibling is an older sister, the friendship has allowed him to realize what it's like to have a brother. "He's like family," Harden said of Harangody. "I've only been here a couple months, and I feel like I've known him my whole life." Staff writer Tom Noie: tnoie@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6153